The Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) and the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) work together to secure shallot stocks and prices. Welcoming Religious and National Holidays (HBKN), the supply of shallots is optimistic that it will be able to meet people's demand.
Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo said Indonesia was able to become one of the countries whose resilience was recognized amid the threat of a food crisis and international geopolitical tensions. This resilience is marked by the production of staple foods such as rice, shallots, chilies and other commodities whose supply is still maintained amidst the threat of climate change and global political tensions that are still heating up.
"By order of Mr. President, we are down to prepare the basic needs of the community in facing Ramadhan and Eid al-Fitr. Today I thank Central Java, Brebes, Governor, Deputy Governor, Regent and all farmers who have prepared this to the fullest," said Minister of Agriculture at the harvest event and release of the Champion's partnership shallots in Krasak Village, Brebes District, Brebes Regency, Sunday (5/3/23).
Minister of Agriculture Syahrul added that this year's shallot productivity is quite good. One of the Ministry of Agriculture's strategies in ensuring the availability of shallots on the market is to determine which production center areas have a surplus of shallots and which sorted areas have a deficit of shallots and are well mapped.
"The second step is to bring our production closer to the market. So Brebes production has to go to Jakarta, it has to go to Kalimantan, it has to go to Sumatra to the red area which has a deficit of shallots," added Syahrul.
In addition, the Minister of Agriculture Syahrul also encouraged the development of shallots to be carried out from upstream to downstream so as to create a variety of derivative products. Processed shallots also provide added value to farmers, especially during the main harvest which is almost always followed by falling prices. The development of downstream shallots is able to suppress price fluctuations and is able to absorb more jobs.
"Today we will jointly send approximately 25 trucks to DKI Jakarta. Today I harvested with the Vice Minister of Trade, tomorrow, God willing, these onions will be received by the Governor of DKI," said Syahrul.
The Deputy Minister of Trade, Jerry Sambuaga was grateful for the harvest of shallots which was carried out in Brebes Regency and witnessed directly by the local community as well as indicating that shallot production has a surplus and is ready to supply market needs, especially towards the month of Ramadan.
"I, along with Mr. Minister of Agriculture and Mr. Deputy Governor of Central Java, appreciate this extraordinary shallot harvest. This is an indicator that there is a surplus and of course it can answer market needs," said Jerry.
Jerry said that the Ministry of Trade welcomed the efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture in maintaining the availability of shallots, especially in markets. The results of reports on market checks in several locations such as Samarinda, Garut, Sumatra to eastern Indonesia ensure that the prices of food ingredients, including shallots, are well controlled.
"Today's harvest at the same time convinces all parties, all stakeholders that the goods are sufficient, the availability is safe and of course they can contribute to the interests of the community," he said.
Deputy Governor of Central Java (Central Java), Taj Yasin Maimoen expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Trade for continuing to pay attention to Central Java farmers through programs and assistance provided in the development of the agricultural sector, one of which is shallots.
"We thank the Minister of Agriculture and Trade for facilitating the distribution from farmers directly to the market, this is what we hope so that this can regulate the price of shallots to be stable," said Taj Yasin.
On the same occasion, Acting Regent of Brebes Urip Sihabudin reported that according to data from BPS, one of the largest production centers in Indonesia is Brebes district with production of 341,056 tons in 2021. Meanwhile, in 2022, shallot production has increased to 384,448 tons with productivity 11.8 tonnes per hectare.
"This proves our commitment to supplying the main stock of shallots, we are ready for every day maybe we can even send 2 to 27 trucks with a capacity of 7 tons each, we are ready to supply until the upcoming Eid Al-Fitr," concluded Urip .
Source:
https://www.pertanian.go.id/home/?show=news&act=view&id=5292#
